Discover Bellprat: Serra de Queralt, Castell de Queralt and Churches

In Bellprat, the Serra de Queralt crosses the municipal area. At the point where Castell de Queralt stands, the Serra de Queralt reaches an altitude of 851 metres. The landscape and the castle are therefore linked at a precisely identified location.

The surviving structural elements make it possible to trace Castell de Queralt through its historical remains: large parts of its ring wall are still standing, as are walls from the residential area, along with evidence of a cistern and stables. The history of the castle can be traced indirectly back to the reign of Count Guifré between 880 and 897. In 976, Count Borrell II and his wife Ledgarda sold the castle to Guitard, the Viscount of Barcelona. It stood on the borders of the Marca towards Spain.

Other places on the same level are Sabadell, Sant Juliá De Vilatorta, La Batllòria, Tordera, Canyelles, Prats de Lluçanès, Capellades and Sant Iscle De Vallalta.

Hiking

The GR 7-2 Camí de Bellprat passes Castell de Queralt before entering the municipality of Santa Maria de Miralles. The route thus connects the historic site with another municipal area.

The GR 172 is a long-distance hiking trail. It begins in Bellprat and ends in La Mussara. Along its route, it follows the Serra de Miralles-Queralt and provides access to its landscapes and natural assets.

The route from Bellprat to Castell de Queralt begins and ends at Bellprat Town Hall. The starting and finishing point is therefore at the same named location in the village.

History

Castell de Queralt preserves large parts of its ring wall. Walls from the residential area have also survived. The surviving remains include evidence of a cistern and stables.

Churches

Sant Esteve dels Ferriols is a rectangular church with a single nave. Its roof is a single-pitched roof over the nave. The south portal has an undecorated voussoir arch. The rock carvings are located immediately in front of the entrance to the Romanesque church.

Sant Jaume de Queralt is a Romanesque church from the first half of the 11th century. Its single nave is covered by a barrel vault. Lombard pilaster strips are attached to the exterior; blind arcades also decorate the exterior.

The present-day building of the parish church of Sant Salvador de Bellprat dates from 1641.

Books and Events

The “Bellprat, Vila del Llibre” festival was established in 2008 as an initiative of the Associació d’Amics de Bellprat. Across nine editions of the festival, there were six antiquarian bookshops on the ground floors of the houses, as well as a second-hand book market. Fifty independent publishers from Catalonia, Aragon, País Valencià and Andorra contributed.

The Diada de les Castelleres is dated 12 October.

To the higher-level travel overview: Barcelona.